645z Shutter Reliability

orbitalpunk · 12-26-2015, 10:14 PM

Hi,

I'm considering investing in a 645z system and would like to see what the consensus is regarding shutter reliability. I have come across posts of shutter failure and wondered if this is very common or not. Has anyone actually exceeded 50k actuations without issues?

Also what is the cost of an out of warranty repair for a 645z shutter repair?

Thanks for any input.

hawk1500 · 12-26-2015, 10:58 PM

Well if you were to believe them, it says 100k.

Pentax 645Z Review - 645Z Overview

orbitalpunk · 12-26-2015, 11:53 PM

Well I thought I could come here and get actual users experiences.

TheDocAUS · 12-27-2015, 12:58 AM

Seems to be more reliable than the 645D. I can only remember one failure I have heard about.

SIMarsden · 12-27-2015, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by orbitalpunk

Hi,

I'm considering investing in a 645z system and would like to see what the consensus is regarding shutter reliability. I have come across posts of shutter failure and wondered if this is very common or not. Has anyone actually exceeded 50k actuations without issues?

Also what is the cost of an out of warranty repair for a 645z shutter repair?

Thanks for any input.

Hi,

I'm currently using a 645z from Ricoh Imaging UK, they have loaned me one for Christmas (they have several loan models for their Pentax Ambassadors to use).
I haven't exceeded the count you ask for however in on 14,972 and it may as well be like new.
Ive got many Pentax cameras, and although I cant answer your question, from personal experience, Pentax are reliable and very good on their warranty repairs and service. I've also got a n old K5 which still produces the goods having survived several riots (photo journalism), dropped in the River Thames (and submerged), having many a beer spilt over it (parties) and has been 'round the clock' close to 7 times now.
I know plenty of Pro-togs who use the 645z and swear by it not only for the files but its durability and reliability.

there is a thread on a different forum that may help you.

Stew

CDW · 12-27-2015, 11:03 AM

I've owned a 645n, 645D and now the 645z. No shutter or reliability problems with any of the bodies...ever.

gavincato · 12-28-2015, 04:28 AM

I think I have around 30k on my z at moment.

I

Royce Howland · 12-28-2015, 11:59 AM

My 645Z's shutter count is currently reporting 34,842 but that's low. Ricoh reset the count when the camera went in to repair a broken cable release socket roughly a year ago. The true count is more likely around 40K. This is higher than I achieved on my original 645D before its pair of shutter failures -- once it failed around 35K, the second time after roughly another 25K. A description of those experiences is elsewhere here in the forum. Both shutter repairs were performed under warranty, though it was something of a struggle both times to get Ricoh to honour the terms. I was quoted around $1000 CDN for the repair both times, if warranty hadn't covered the work.

In my experience the 645Z's redesigned mirror & shutter mechanisms do indeed behave much more reliably than I found with the 645D. I shoot my cameras pretty heavily when I'm active, and so far the 645Z has given no hint of the mechanical issues I had with the 645D. The only significant problem with my Z to date is a repeatedly breaking cable release socket... and still the incredibly long turn-around times with Ricoh service. I'm running the camera right now with a broken socket because I can't be without it another 10 weeks or whatever it will take Ricoh to fix it again.

12-26-2015, 10:14 PM	#1
orbitalpunk New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 7	645z Shutter Reliability Hi, I'm considering investing in a 645z system and would like to see what the consensus is regarding shutter reliability. I have come across posts of shutter failure and wondered if this is very common or not. Has anyone actually exceeded 50k actuations without issues? Also what is the cost of an out of warranty repair for a 645z shutter repair? Thanks for any input.

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12-26-2015, 10:58 PM	#2
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	Well if you were to believe them, it says 100k. Pentax 645Z Review - 645Z Overview

12-26-2015, 11:53 PM	#3
orbitalpunk New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Well I thought I could come here and get actual users experiences.

12-27-2015, 12:58 AM	#4
TheDocAUS Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 126	Seems to be more reliable than the 645D. I can only remember one failure I have heard about.

12-27-2015, 09:16 AM	#5
SIMarsden New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 11	Originally posted by orbitalpunk Hi, I'm considering investing in a 645z system and would like to see what the consensus is regarding shutter reliability. I have come across posts of shutter failure and wondered if this is very common or not. Has anyone actually exceeded 50k actuations without issues? Also what is the cost of an out of warranty repair for a 645z shutter repair? Thanks for any input. Hi, I'm currently using a 645z from Ricoh Imaging UK, they have loaned me one for Christmas (they have several loan models for their Pentax Ambassadors to use). I haven't exceeded the count you ask for however in on 14,972 and it may as well be like new. Ive got many Pentax cameras, and although I cant answer your question, from personal experience, Pentax are reliable and very good on their warranty repairs and service. I've also got a n old K5 which still produces the goods having survived several riots (photo journalism), dropped in the River Thames (and submerged), having many a beer spilt over it (parties) and has been 'round the clock' close to 7 times now. I know plenty of Pro-togs who use the 645z and swear by it not only for the files but its durability and reliability. there is a thread on a different forum that may help you. Stew

12-27-2015, 11:03 AM	#6
CDW Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Big Island, Hawaii & Utah Posts: 457	I've owned a 645n, 645D and now the 645z. No shutter or reliability problems with any of the bodies...ever.

12-28-2015, 04:28 AM	#7
gavincato Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 247	I think I have around 30k on my z at moment. I

12-28-2015, 11:59 AM	#8
Royce Howland Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 275	My 645Z's shutter count is currently reporting 34,842 but that's low. Ricoh reset the count when the camera went in to repair a broken cable release socket roughly a year ago. The true count is more likely around 40K. This is higher than I achieved on my original 645D before its pair of shutter failures -- once it failed around 35K, the second time after roughly another 25K. A description of those experiences is elsewhere here in the forum. Both shutter repairs were performed under warranty, though it was something of a struggle both times to get Ricoh to honour the terms. I was quoted around $1000 CDN for the repair both times, if warranty hadn't covered the work. In my experience the 645Z's redesigned mirror & shutter mechanisms do indeed behave much more reliably than I found with the 645D. I shoot my cameras pretty heavily when I'm active, and so far the 645Z has given no hint of the mechanical issues I had with the 645D. The only significant problem with my Z to date is a repeatedly breaking cable release socket... and still the incredibly long turn-around times with Ricoh service. I'm running the camera right now with a broken socket because I can't be without it another 10 weeks or whatever it will take Ricoh to fix it again.